The truck driver who struck two motorcycles while attempting to pass another vehicle on County Road 476 outside of Bushnell, Florida, has been charged with four counts of vehicular manslaughter DUI. The trial for the truck driver has been set for April 4.

The exceptionally tragic motorcycle versus car accident killed four people in early March 2010. The driver of a 1991 GMC truck was attempting to pass another vehicle, a 2003 Dodge truck, when he saw the two motorcycles fast approaching. According the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) accident report, the truck driver saw the motorcyclists and attempted to slow down but his effort was useless. The GMC truck struck both motorcycles head-on.

Each motorcycle was carrying two people. The motorcycle drivers and their passengers were all ejected. Upon impact, the victims flew through the air and one victim even crashed into the windshield of the Dodge truck the at-fault driver was attempting to pass. Three of the motorcyclists were pronounced dead on the scene while a fourth died at the hospital as a result of the catastrophic injuries sustained in the wreck.
At the time of the accident, the GMC driver was driving with a suspended license. He only received minor injuries as a result of the accident and was treated at the scene, along with the driver of the Dodge truck.

Motorcycle accident victims have a right to obtain compensation against an at-fault driver. If a car driver acted negligently on the road, the victim may be able to receive compensation for his or her injuries, medical bills and lost wages in a personal injury suit.

The family of a loved one killed in a fatal car accident or motorcycle accident can also file a wrongful death lawsuit against the at-fault driver. While holding the driver responsible for the crash won’t bring closure to the tragic loss, it may enable the family the financial freedom to grieve without worrying about money.

Source: Daily Commercial (online), “Trial Date Set in Biker Fatalities,” Brad Buck, January 28, 2011